Bruce Green

August 6, 2017

Bruce Green, Retired 2nd Lieutenant of the Chicago Heights Fire Department, passed away suddenly. He spent most of his life in Chicago Heights until he retired in 2000 when he married the love of his life, Sheila Coghlan. He spent the last 17 years in Orland Park with his wife and children Colleen Coghlan, M.D. (26) and Ryan Coghlan (22) who he lovingly adopted as his own children shortly after their marriage. Bruce is survived by his daughter, Robin Toland and his grandchildren Alyssa and Frank Toland, his brothers Charlie and Robert Green, many loving sister and brother in-laws, nieces, nephews, and countless life-long friends who were his family. He was preceded by his parents Charles and Helene Green and his brother Roy Green. Bruce touched the lives of numerous boys and girls through his many years with the Chicago Heights Park District where he coordinated the sports programs and was on the board of the Small Fry Basketball Association. He was known as a sports legend and amazing athlete in “the Heights,” as a star football, baseball, and basketball player at Bloom High School. His proudest accomplishment was being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1967. He went on to play with the San Diego Chargers, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League, and the Joliet Chargers (semi-pro). He was actually drafted by the Detroit Tigers for baseball out of high school however he elected to go on to college at Midland University where he attended on a football scholarship and received All-American honors. He also played minor league baseball with the Lansing Old Timers during his time at Midland. He would eventually return to Bloom to teach physical education and become the Security Counselor as well as being an active member of the school board. Visitation Thursday, August 10th from 3 p.m. until time of service at 8 p.m. at Heartland Memorial Center, 7151 183rd Street, Tinley Park. For info or to sign the guestbook (708) 444-2266 or heartlandmemorial.com